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Once it was clear John Kerry would leave the Senate to become Secretary of State, defeated Sen. Scott Brown (R) started dropping hints about his interest in the race. The Republican boasted to other senators that he "may obviously meet" them again, and he added with a smile that defeat is "temporary." Soon after, Brown wrote an op-ed emphasizing the importance of "second chances."
But when it came time to make a formal decision, the former senator, rejected by the voters of Massachusetts just three months ago, decided not to run.
Scott P. Brown said on Friday that he had opted out of the Senate race in Massachusetts to fill the seat being vacated by John Kerry. [...]
Mr. Brown first alerted The Boston Herald, which was strongly supportive of him during his last campaign, that he was not running. "U are the first to know," Mr. Brown said in a text message to The Herald.
Mr. Brown has told friends that he is exhausted from the lengthy and hard-fought campaign against Ms. Warren. Running this year would have meant a third statewide race since 2010, and would probably have meant a fourth in 2014 for a full six-year term.
Looking ahead, Brown's decision leaves the state Republican Party without a top-tier challenger for the June 25 special election. Former Gov. William Weld and former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey have both been the subject of speculation, though neither have made any announcements about their plans. Former Gov. Mitt Romney will almost certainly not run.
Among Democrats, meanwhile, Reps. Ed Markey and Stephen Lynch will face off in a primary. With Brown out, the Democratic nominee will be favored to fill Kerry's vacancy.
So, have we heard the last of Brown? Time will tell, but recent scuttlebutt suggests the Republican may run for governor in 2014.
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So he really isn't just another pretty face. Smart move.
A hot Markey-Brown race would have focused much needed media attention on Climate Change.
Too Bad on that score, but I am relieved the seat looks pretty safe.
O'Donnell and others have listed the reasons why it would be stupid for Brown to run, but honestly I believed Brown would just ignore them and go for broke- So, I am cleaning the coffee I sprayed on the monitor when I read the news.
Does the GOP have anyone else? Isn't this all over? The seat is Ed Markey's, right?
Mitt Romney is bored and restless.
He wants to run for Governor, so he can gerrymander the next elcetion for president. plain and simple.
Tetime,
you are correct. he wants to run for Gov. so he can work with the Koch bothers and try to do to Mass. what other repub gov's have done in their states.
He would have to be governor for a while. Redistricting is done once per decade, and the next round isn't due to happen until 2021.
Doesn't seem to be the case in Virginia.
He likely just made the announcement. At least he can do less harm there. The Dem state senate will make sure.
"...Brown's decision leaves the state Republican Party without a top-tier challenger..."
Steve, you've got jokes - as if Brown is really "top-tier".....LMAO.....
ZR,
You beat me to it!!
I have to remind myself what 'top-tier' equates to in the embarrassingly (for people who care or who have any shame) incompetent and unintelligent world of the GOP.
One day, when GOP voters finally hold the current 'crop/crap' of Republicans accountable and stop voting for failure and ignorance, we might start to get 'top-tier' Republican candidates on par with 'top-tier' Democrats.
Well just have to say Scott good smart move on your behalf. As it wouldn't be good to have been beaten twice with in an 8 month period.
Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out, little Scotty.
Did anyone check with Cosmo?
Bqhatevwr. *burp* <face plant>
Governor? President? I'm thinking back to the last time an Empty Suit was elected Governor, and then went on to be President.
IIRC, that didn't work out to well for America.
Are you disparaging Little George? His suit was the only thing that was not empty, even if he had to put a cod piece in it!
Why won't Mittens run? Did he not leave the governorship before as being wildly popular? Did he not win the 'blue' state of Massachusetts last fall by a large margin?
Why won't Scotty run? The schizos in Massachusetts keep electing repukes as governors, so why wouldn't they elect a repuke to the senate? That's right, they did elect him once and now that they know him better... Maybe that's why he won't run again. Plus not having an idiot democrat to run against who did not bother to seriously campaign.
He ain't tired - he just knew it was a long shot. I think we've seen the last of him.
I think you're wrong. If he went all out, and lost this-his career in politics would be over, caput, finito. Give the public time, his odds of winning elected office improve. It's a great gig for GOP puppet who only has to talk and "sell it" rather thanthink, or work, or lead. He's not going to give that up.
This is good news. I'm glad to keep one of Wall Street's favorite goons out of office. Now if only we could get rid of Bloomberg.
He definitely wants to be governor. Alot more influence than 1 vote in a democratically controlled Senate.
btw, Mass. does not have Gubernatorial term limits. So Duval or whatever his name is, though elected in 2006 can still run again in 2014.
But he (and his name is Deval Patrick, btw) has repeatedly stated that he will not run again.
There are whispers he might go to DC, since he's buds with O. Who knows.
Now that Brown is taking some time off from politics, maybe he can learn how to spell the word "You."
I think he watched Rachel's show and realized he'd have a better shot a governor.
Rachel... Please talk Barney Frank into running for governor. Having Scotty Brown governor of Mass. is worse than him becoming their senator.
Maybe he's off to do another centerfold spread in the Jackass Journal!
Because Romney did not leave the state "wildly" popular and he did not carry Mass. in the 2012 election. They did elect Romney once & now they know him better....he won't run again. Brown is Romney's brother by another mother........
Perhaps we can start a new party, and call it the Lincoln Republican party. Unlike the Tea Party Republican, the Lincoln Republicans would not discriminate based on color, sex, or political party. The Lincoln Republicans would follow the Constitution, and favor ALL of We the People, instead of only the .1%. In addition, the Lincoln Republicans would press for more innovation in factories, and while we might not be as pro-Union as the Democratic party, we certainly would not be as anti-labor. We also would ensure that the upper .1% is maintained more under control (sorry, not as many huge golden parachutes particularly for those CEO's who stink. As such, those who would be at the top of the companies would get there following the best skills such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Thomas Edison instead of being the most corrupt.
I feel certain that we could splinter the current Republicans, and at least make the Republicans stand for something positive (instead of make corrupt Government and corrupt business, and anti-Obama). We would follow the basic principals of Lincoln, and the playing field would be made more level. I bet we could get a sizeable number of candidates and voters for the 2014 election cycle, and likely field a better Presidential candidate for 2016 than the Tea Party Republicans. Along the way, we could bring Federal lawsuits against the current tea party Republicans for treason (attempting to overthrow the Constitution and the vast majority of We the People). Sounds fun. We could be sooo much cooler than the angry old white men of the current Tea Party Republicans. Also, soon the Lincoln Republicans will represent the real interests of business so much better.
As such, with the Democratic Party and the Lincoln Republican party, we would have what America really needs, a two party system where both parties provide a positive alternative, and both parties stand for the Constitution.
Interesting idea, it would take a very strong person however, Scott just does not fit that role. Repubs have to do something dramatic about becoming appealing again or it will be a long dryspell. By the way, Rubio is as phony as Scott with his flip flops lately.
Please....todays' repubs being called the Lincoln Republicans...Is meant to do harm to Lincoln's good name.....